Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-07-29
VIOLEY'S ENGAGEMENT.
BY GUINEvERE.

weeks. Oh, this is what comes OF
old friendship and mammals queer
notions. She and Mrs. Hume were
schoolgirls together, and when they
met at the fair last fall, Mrs. Hume
insisted on our visiting her. We
ran down there for a few days, it
was too dull for a longer s0jOurn,
but of course Violet was asked to
come to the city this winter, and,
of all times, she must come now
AS Celia Darrell ended her CON-
plant, she sighed heavily and fold
ed up the letter she had just read.
Her companion, pretty brunette,
looked at her with a face quite as
clOuded as her own.
ais she so very pretty ?" she ask
ed.
"She is positive beauty"
"Rustic, of course. Red-cheeked
and
ooh, no, no, that's the worst of
Ii. Hers is a delicate, winsOme
loneliness, and Keith is so suscepti-
bic. Not that l hold her up as
your rival, my dear, but you know
that the more there are in the field,
the less chance each has of victory"
Lura Harvey flushed, and her
dark eyes flashed. She knew how
deity she had planned to entangle
Keith Darrelrs heart, she knew
that Celia was aware Of her plans,
but it was not pleasant to be re-
minded Of it in such blunt terms.
Celia carght ner angry glance,
and laughed softly. Rising, she
threw her arms round her friends
neck and kissed her.
"There, there don't mind me-
she SAID. awe understand each
other; and you know my fondest
hope is to see you, Keith's wife,
This pretty village maiden may be
in our way, but I'll do all in my
power to surmount the obstacle
Here comes Keith now
An instant later Ceha's brother
appeared. No wonder brunette
Lura sought to engage his affec-
ton, for he was a man whose love
would be boon to any wOman-a
noble, generous.he hearted, impulsive,
faithful man, with a darkly-hand-
some face and commanding figure.
81 hope I'm not interrupting a
confidential chat" he said, as he sat
down near the crate fire. "YOu
look very serious, both Of you. !
hope nothing has occurred"
ave we're talking on the very
grave subject-dress," said Celia,
with a quiet smile.
"And that reminds me | want
Marie to alter my blue tea-gown.-
I'll see her at once
AS she spoke, Lura rose and went
out with a glance at her friend,
who, left alone with Keith, took out
the letter that had agltated her,
and gave it to him to read.
"Violet Hume" he repeated
thoughtfully. ooh, the little
beauty in Brooksidel Well, you
must give her a good time, Celia"
an look after her." answered his
sister. "And you, Keith, will en-
terrain Lura."
"Oh, I'm not to play the agreea-
BILE to Miss Hume then,' said Keith,
with q smile. "You are to apprO-
pirate her. Well, Pm not so sure /
that your plan is to my satisfac-
tom
'It probably would be to the sat
isfaction of a certain young farmer |
I've heard of, said Celia, signifi- |
cantly. "Violet's engagement will |
of course debar her from much at
tention from you or any other gen.
tleman."
Keith uttered long whistle.
"Beautiful but bound" he said
dramatically. "Poor thingr
"Not at all; she is happy. Why
shouldn't it be She adOres him, l
suppose"
"Of course. Pass me the journal,
Celia; I'll read awhile"
Ten minutes later he had com
pletely forgotten Violet Hume. !
On the morrow she arrived, and
Keith, who was not at home then,
met her in the early evening.
He was not prepared for the rare
loneliness that greeted his eyes
when he entered the lighted parlOr,
She sat IN a deep, bronze cushioned
chair, her blue-robed form graceful
~ posed, her fair face, and yellow
hair cleaning like bright picture
set in a dark frame.
Lura Harvey saw the admiration
in bis eyes, and she set her little
white teeth together.
"Her beauty will charm him."
she thought. "Men care only for
a pretty face-but he will not dare
slight me for ber-diplOmacy will
win"
ViOlet's beauty had charmed him
he saw more than the porcelain
tints, the perfect contour, and sheen
of golden hair. There was a ten.
derness in her smile, and a depth
Of thought in the gentian blue eyes.
''Tbat girl a farmers wife," he
thought; "why, she is fit to be a